The Old West Cigar Shop listed here has a limited inventory and is a cigarette smoke filled stuffy little store that sometimes seems closed with the door left open...needs cleaning, needs moldy cigars thrown out, and a couple of light fixtures.

Fortunately there is a new store on North Nevada in the center with Shelton's Luncheonette that is clean, fresh, humidy rightly controlled to prevent moldy cigars...with a lovely selection and they actually know cigars, not cigarettes.

I am from the midwest and I am just now reading about these sculptures. From an outsider's viewpoint, I am puzzled. CO Springs is so fortunate to have these beautiful, extraordinary sculptures in the city, and I don't understand why they are not a source of great pride for the people of CO Springs. I certainly don't know the whole story, and I empathize with the neighbors who just want to live their lives in their formerly quiet neighborhood. They deserve that. But these sculptures are one-of-a-kind, intricate sculptures created by an obviously highly intelligent, outstanding artist, and they are magnificent formations! I think if I were a resident, I would want to work toward having these sculptures placed in an outstanding area where they can receive the respect and appreciation they deserve, if the family would agree to that. Then perhaps Lottie could provide tours at that location so that her father's work could be admired and appreciated by future generations. Right now it seems like Lottie is fighting against the whole city of CO Springs, when instead, Lottie and the city should be working together, embracing the special legacy of Starr Kempf.

These folks need to be aware that the obligation of others to "slow down" on the paths is equal to their own common sense obligation to pay attention to their surroundings. I encountered them several times passing under the Uintah Street bridge. Though I had slowed to a stop the numbskulls wandered about with their mouths agage paying no heed and yielding no right of way to those passing by on the trail.

"Somebody please explain to me how this TV monstrosity is relevant to our traditions or culture and why Watts New, which in additional to being visually stunning clearly embodies a theme of sustainability, innovation, and environmental consciousness did not even place."

Television is, culturally, one of the defining threads which connects us all together as Americans. Who today has a flat screen TV? Who doesn't?!

I know, I know, there are quite a few people who don't have a TV in fact, so I see where you are coming from. But isn't owning a TV considered part of the classically defined American Dream?

I think Chris' work plays off of this, especially at night, when viewed from across the street and seen in the larger context of the surrounding architecture. . .

To say " Watts New" did not place is slightly incorrect. It made it into the top twelve, it made it onto the streets. Maybe it didn't make it into the position of accolades for some reason we can't see, something that only spoke to the juror's heart may have held it back, or pushed the other pieces to the top.

The juror's obviously appreciated it. We still get to see it and talk about it.

To say this city is art starved seems incorrect as well. We're talking about 12 new public sculptures that are free to view. Whether you like them or not, they do offer an increased potential for cultural expansion and understanding. How are they not art?

How does the work in the downtown art walk, on first fridays, not meet the definition of art? Or the work hanging in Old Colorado City, at the BAC, at Mountain Living Studios, at CottonWood, at the Fine Art Center, at Smokebrush, at the Modbo, or S.P.Q.R., or any one of countless coffee shops or galleries ranging from Manitou to Powers not meet the definition of art?

I mean, sure, if you don't like the work then you can say its not art...but even then it's still "art" ...maybe its just "bad art".

And if it is "bad art" then why not let it be an influence which can push your own creative self away in a new direction?

Just because we are taught that the cultural center of our Society is New York, or L.A. does not mean the we not excel with our unique spirit and our own unique visual (or musical) language.

As viewers of art, we always have to be aware of how our preconceptions influence our opinion of the work.

I'm not sure you'll ever even see this, considering how much has passed under the bridge since your post, but I suggest you love what you love, and don't let those preconceptions dampen that love.

If you like "Wats New" then agknowlege it as art, appreciate how its glow adds to this city, pushing forth new ideas forth that drench us with its enlightenment.

"A big TV set is art? Come on get real. Henry Moore will be turning over in his grave."

And why not? I think it sits well in the space, and if you look at the narratives: either assumed, metaphorical, or literal there is certainly some compelling depth to explore intellectually (especially when you consider its companion piece).

Henry Moore certainly created many great sculptures, but why should his style, and the trends of that era which influenced his style, be the sole cultural reference when considering contemporary work?

TruthB - They do have to pay for the shirts, plus workers who are busting their butts to make it happen. If they didn't, they'd certainly go bankrupt with a poorly thought out plan. Perhaps you should inquire as to what their expenses are before you assume "$1" is what is being donated, as well as realize that the Pikes Peak Community Foundation, one of the most respected organizations in the Pikes Peak Region, is handling their funds.

From the jurors mouth, "I value those pieces that I found relevant, that they somehow spoke to our traditions and culture in Colorado and Colorado Springs". Somebody please explain to me how this TV monstrosity is relevant to our traditions or culture and why Watts New, which in additional to being visually stunning clearly embodies a theme of sustainability, innovation, and environmental consciousness did not even place. It's absurd and the jurors should explain just what kind of culture they are trying to promote in this art-starved city.